“The activist that I am is breaking the system from within,” said Latifat Odetunde, a senior at Classical High School and a member of Youth in Action speaking at a conference on “Youth-Led Social Justice Activism in Rhode Island.”

The Democratic Party has railed against Trump’s decision to end DACA in six months but actual action, in the form of legislation that could help undocumented immigrants in RI, has not passed in the Democrat controlled General Assembly.

Elorza signed the Community Safety Act (CSA) without fanfare. There was no photo opp, just a press release announcing the deed done. The way the ordinance was signed into law frustrated and disappointed the coalition of community groups who have worked so many years to get the CSA passed.

In the end, common ground was found and every instance of contentious wording in the draft ordinance was settled via unanimous agreement by members of the CSA Working Group. The final version of the Community Safety Act (CSA) was officially approved and will be now ready to be voted on by the full Providence City Council on June 1.

“I listen to the radio quite a bit,” said Robert Boehm, president of the Providence FOP, “and the CSA has become that negative word for a lot of people who look at the struggle that we’re going through with this.”

“This report pulls together data that have been highlighted by different sources and community members over the years to provide a full picture of how Black Rhode Islanders are faring in the Ocean State,” said Rachel Flum, Executive Director of the Economic Progress Institute (EPI).

“We need change, protection and support,” said DACA student Javier Juarez, “So that one day we can contribute to the economy, and make the ocean state a more competitive and diverse state, that does not only follow but leads the progressive movement of undocumented people that call this country their own.”

“It would just be easier if they told us that black lives don’t matter. It would just be easier if the told us they don’t think trans is beautiful. It would just be so much easier if they just said they’re racist. If they said we don’t have to play these fucking games.”

The Community Safety Act (CSA), a city ordinance that prohibits profiling not just by race but expands the list of protections to include gender identity, gender expression and housing status, passed the Providence City Council 12-0, with three city councilors absent.

The Community Safety Act is about safety, said Flores-Maldonado. “We have made compromises. We’ve made a lot of compromises… but you have to remember we are compromising our safety, and that is dangerous to a lot of us in this community.”

“I am trying to put a stop to this discriminatory attitude so that future generations are treated with dignity,” said Peralta, explaining his goal of filing the lawsuit. As to whether he is concerned about potential retaliation on the job, Peralta added, “Dignity has no price.”

“The noose, as symbol of lynching and a tool of white supremacist terror, is a threat to Black lives and cannot be ignored. Its presence in our sacred space means we must fight back by recommitting ourselves to the movement for Black lives in Providence, the United States, and globally.”

Representative Aaron Regunberg hosted nearly 1000 people to discuss strategies “of self-defense and liberation under President Trump.” The event, held in the Hope High School cafeteria in Providence, was packed beyond capacity. Hundreds of people sat on the floor or stood in small groups in sometimes heated but always respectful conversation.